Carlton up for the fight after ‘shocker’: Bolton

He said the players had heeded that lesson and therefore he didn’t need to do much to motivate the players who will be bolstered with the return from injury of ruckman Matthew Kreuzer as well as recruits Mitch McGovern and Will Setterfield.

Brendon Bolton says his side will be prepared after last week’s shocker.Credit:AAP

“Sometimes when something like this happens you don’t need to say a lot to the players, you can just see that they want to respond,” Bolton said.

The Blues chose to stick with ruckman/forward Levi Casboult even though he made some critical errors against North Melbourne, and Bolton forecasting positional changes with McGovern returning and Liam Jones missing after being concussed last week. The Blues also dropped Lochie O’Brien and Andrew Phillips.

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Bolton would not go into detail, however there is a chance McGovern will play back or Charlie Curnow could push up on to the wing in an attempt to rediscover form.

The coach said outside noise was not distracting him and he said comments from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire on his morning breakfast show that the Blues’ hierarchy should chase Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson did not worry him as he understood the comments were made in McGuire’s media role.

“If that infiltrates you, you will be in the wrong space and I am not in that space,” Bolton said.

When asked what space he was in, Bolton said he was as determined as ever.

“We’re pretty clear on what we are doing well and what we need to improve on,” Bolton said.

“We’re keeping to our strategy and that gives you strength within.”

Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age covering AFL, horse racing and other sports.